Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen’s famous novel, is, in large part, a study of marriage. It is an interesting novel for Austen since she was never married. The social culture of Austen’s day made marriage a crucial aspect of a woman 's life. A women in that time was dependent on a man for money and social standing. Synonyms for marriage are union and alliance both have very different meanings. Marriage as a union implies a fully joined couple. A marital alliance suggests that marriage is an association for mutual benefit such as money, social standing, or physical desires. Austen 's characters are developed to emphasize these differences in the reasons for marriage. She makes abundantly clear through her development of these marriages …show more content…
Collins is the next one developed in Pride and Prejudice. The reasons for this ‘courtship’ are staged and written in an almost comical nature which emphasizes just how absurd Austen feels about an alliance of this sort. In this couple Austen offers up Mr. Collins as an example that men also feel great pressure to marry. In fact, Mr. Collins felt the pressure so strongly that he proposed to two women in the span of three days. His proposal to Elizabeth in chapter 19 is a hilarious speech that states laughable reasons for marriage, ``My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly -- which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness”. Charlotte’s reasoning for the alliance was similarly bland. In chapter 22 she states, “Mr. Collins to be sure was neither sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must be imaginary. But still he would be her husband. Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small …show more content…
Wickham were married or aligned under scandalous circumstances. Wickham, after failing to secure an alliance with Mr. Darcy’s sister that would secure him financially, decided to have some fun and flirt with the young ladies. Austen describes him in chapter 16, “Mr. Wickham was the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was turned.” Lydia is driven by physical attraction. In chapter 16 she asks, “Have you seen any pleasant men? Have you done any flirting?” In the end, they were forced into marriage in order to prevent Lydia from ruining her reputation and that of the Bennet family. Austen is clear in her disapproval of this alliance and it’s ability to endure. In volume 3, chapter 8 she wrote, “How Wickham and Lydia were to be supported in tolerable independence, she could not imagine. But how little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue, she could easily
Most women, till this day seek to marry men with money, In order to live a life of stature. One would rather stay at home and raise children than work and sustain themselves. In The novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, in the eyes of women, the same ideals persevere to this day. That "Smart women marry rich".Mrs. Bennet 's sole purpose in life is to marry off her five daughters; Jane, Elizabeth, Lydia, Mary and Kitty.Through all the trials and tribulations shown through the characters, Austen clearly shows that marriage should be a combination of passion and reason.
Marriage was a central theme in Jane Austen's book "Pride and Prejudice" as in her time marriage was done when the women were quite. young. The snares are a lot of fun. Jane Austen uses this book to express her emotions about women. didn't have much of a say in many things and they weren't allowed to.
Jane Austen, also criticizes marriage based on convenience and money. She criticizes through the experiences of Charlotte and Collins. The characters Charlotte and Collins are “perfect” for each other, they are both fake, selfish and scheming. In the nineteenth century, “most” not all women had this mindset where they wanted to marry successful and rich men to secure their futures. Love meant nothing to these types of women. Materialistic things meant everything. Charlotte Lucas is a character that only got married to secure her future. “Miss Lucas perceived him from an upper window...and instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane” After Charlotte finds out collins had been
Marriage in Pride and Prejudice It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of good fortune must be in want of a wife." Jane Austen provides subsequent argument with the first line of her novel, Pride and. Prejudice. The.
In Pride and Prejudice, a novel written by Jane Austen, the role of wealth and reputation is a partnership that leads to marriage, but in most (if not all) cases have little to do with love. The most propelling conflict in Pride and Prejudice is, “The morally significant conflict between pride and vanity” (Pride). Vanity is connected to wealth; therefore wealth is a poor choice to consider opposed to love. The role that reputation and wealth play when it comes to love is limited due to human pride and vanity. “The meaning of “pride” and “prejudice” acquire are related to the central theme of all of Jane Austen’s novels: the limitations of human vision” (Pride). In Austen’s time the inability to see past wealth when considering marriage is a cultural tie to the era and its norms. It’s a pitiable and vain cultural upbringing that is frowned upon in this century. One does not simply marry for the sake of wealth and reputation. Without love, marriage cannot last. It ends in a deadlock or with two people living together but leading separate lives behind closed doors.
Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is well noted for its ability to question social norms. Most importantly, Austen explores the institution of marriage, as it was in her time, a time where many married for security rather than love. Her characters Elizabeth and Charlotte are renowned even more for their outspoken nature and different views on marriage. Though both Elizabeth and Charlotte yearn for a happy marriage, Charlotte has a more pragmatic and mundane approach while Elizabeth is more romantic and daring with her actions. Through the romantic involvements of both Elizabeth and Charlotte, Austen shows that happiness in marriage is not entirely a matter of chance, but is instead contingent on an accurate evaluation of self and others
It is not unusual for an individual to disagree with social customs or expectations. Some people are only happy when they can rebel against society. Most mature adults eventually realize that compromise is necessary to achieve happiness. This is the case in the early nineteenth century England setting of Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. In the novel, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is a lively, independent woman, whose family's financial situation and whose strong mindedness suggest that she may never marry. Mr. Darcy, is a rigid and proper man, who falls in love with Elizabeth, despite their differences. By the end of the novel, Elizabeth and Darcy learn to compromise, and, in doing so, become truly happy. In marrying, they not only fulfill themselves as individuals, but also affirm the principle values of society. The marriage at the end of the novel shows Jane Austen's ideal view of marriage as a social institution.
The central theme of Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice is marriage, as indicated in the opening line of the book:
In 1813, a woman’s main goal was marriage. Females wanted to find a man who could provide for them and take care of them; not all women wanted love. Many were fine with living on a wealthy estate and living in an upper-class manner. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is a novel about the Bennet sisters, five girls whom, in the time of 1813, are all unmarried and are looking for husbands. The central conflict is based around two young women, the eldest of the five Bennet daughters, Jane and Elizabeth. The girls have their similarities and differences, and can be compared and contrasted in many ways; in terms of which is stronger at handling the pressure of relationships, context clues give a valid answer. What the reader must interpret for his
Elizabeth is so upset about charlotte marrying Collins because she is afraid if being forced into a similar marriage or ending up as having no money, no marriage .Concerning the civil status and economic right of woman , Austen is hitting at the patriarchal society. The nightmare of not marrying is worse than marrying someone like Mr. Collins.
Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice portrays varying attitudes to marriage. "The intricate social network that pervades the novel is one that revolves around the business of marriage". Through her female characters the reader sees the different attitudes to marriage and the reasons that these women have for marrying. These depend on their social status and their personal values. The reader is shown the most prevalent and common view of marriage held by society in Austen's time, and through the heroine, a differing opinion of marriage is explored. We are shown how marriage is viewed by the very wealthy and the values they emphasise in marriage. Through the characterisation of these women and use of irony, Austen has influenced the reader's opinions on the characters attitude about marriage and that of their contemporaries.
Collins is interested in Elizabeth as well, and wants to marry her for several reasons which he deems proper and just. Mr. Collins is certain that he is worthy of Elizabeth’s acceptance because of his connection to the family of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and his position as a clergyman, but also because he will inherit her family’s estate when her father dies. He has no notion of love or lifelong happiness, which Elizabeth finds ideal in a marriage. He tries to understand her refusal, crediting it to her “wish of increasing [his] love by suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females.” Elizabeth, for the sake of his understanding fully, says, “Do not consider me now as an elegant female intending to plague you, but as a rational creature speaking the truth from her heart” (108). Austen demonstrates how Mr. Collins considers marriage to him a perfect solution to the problem of the entailed estate, while Elizabeth knows marriage to him would make her miserable. He later finds an acceptable match with the practical Charlotte
Collins, on the other hand, married Charlotte because he wanted to fulfil the desires of his wealthy patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. According to chapter nineteen of Pride and Prejudice, one of the reasons Mr. Collins gave for wanting to marry was “that it was the recommendation of a very noble lady whom I have the honor of calling patroness. Twice she has condescended to give me her opinion on this subject. Miss de Bourgh said, Mr. Collins, you must marry. A clergyman like you must marry.”
Elizabeth Bennett is a sensible, lively girl, who is the main character of Jane Austen’s book Pride and Prejudice. Within the pages of this literary classic, Elizabeth is faced with a total of three marriage proposals. The first is from Mr. Collins, her second cousin and heir of her family’s estate. The second and third are both from Mr. Darcy, a wealthy young man whose shyness and pride result in rudeness and the appearance of distain. Elizabeth denies the first two proposals directed at her, yet falls in love with Mr. Darcy and accepts his second request for her hand.
...: Charlotte Lucas. It is most obvious that this marriage is not based on love, as it could be argued that Mr Collins may have had loving feelings for Elizabeth only days before; therefore making it highly improbable that both he and Charlotte could have developed feelings of love for one another in such a short space of time. Charlotte’s swift acceptance of Mr Collins’ offer shows that she is anxious to get married to gain both social and financial security. From this point on, Austen ensures that the reader is made aware of the very likely possibility that Charlotte may never have loving feelings towards Mr Collins, and vice-versa. However this should not prove to be a problem for Mr Collins, as he only desires a wife so to conform to the status quo.